I am a fan of all razors using a GEM blade. It seems to suit my skin and beard better than DE blades. So I purchased a Shield SE razor from Boti Brush and took delivery this week.
A couple of things to note. It seems to be very close to a Blackland Sabre in head design. Same post to connect the handle at an angle to the head, the post is not cylindrical, small posts in the head and holes in the base plate securing the connection between the two and rectangular slits in the base plate to allow lather to disperse.
Some discernible differences though. The Boti is much lighter than the Sabre. I prefer a razor with a bit of heft however I know a lot of folk prefer a lack of it. The Sabre thread is smoother in connecting the handle than the Boti - sometimes it needs a couple of attempts. The underside of the Boti head is not polished like the base plate and handle. The Boti head is curved and the Sabre has two levels. The Sabre has blade stops on the base plate and the Boti has none. Sabre comes with a choice of two base plates - Level 2 being more efficient for me than Level 1. Boti does not. The Boti handle is thicker and a touch longer than the Sabre. The Boti has more etching and seems to have more grip - I like it.
As to the shave, I have used both Sabre plates. The Boti is closer to the Level 2 but, for some reason just seems a bit less smooth. Having said that I find the Sabre one of the best GEM shaves I have ever had. The Boti is certainly up there with many GEMs, EverReadys and Stars I have used. I think the problem with both is the price compared to the antiques. If you enjoy a GEM shave and have some dollars spare, give the Boti a go, is my thought.
A couple of things to note. It seems to be very close to a Blackland Sabre in head design. Same post to connect the handle at an angle to the head, the post is not cylindrical, small posts in the head and holes in the base plate securing the connection between the two and rectangular slits in the base plate to allow lather to disperse.
Some discernible differences though. The Boti is much lighter than the Sabre. I prefer a razor with a bit of heft however I know a lot of folk prefer a lack of it. The Sabre thread is smoother in connecting the handle than the Boti - sometimes it needs a couple of attempts. The underside of the Boti head is not polished like the base plate and handle. The Boti head is curved and the Sabre has two levels. The Sabre has blade stops on the base plate and the Boti has none. Sabre comes with a choice of two base plates - Level 2 being more efficient for me than Level 1. Boti does not. The Boti handle is thicker and a touch longer than the Sabre. The Boti has more etching and seems to have more grip - I like it.
As to the shave, I have used both Sabre plates. The Boti is closer to the Level 2 but, for some reason just seems a bit less smooth. Having said that I find the Sabre one of the best GEM shaves I have ever had. The Boti is certainly up there with many GEMs, EverReadys and Stars I have used. I think the problem with both is the price compared to the antiques. If you enjoy a GEM shave and have some dollars spare, give the Boti a go, is my thought.